PUTRAJAYA: Poor financial management by federal ministries and departments caused the loss of RM158.08 million through irregular payments, the loss of public funds and wastage in 2021, according to an audit report.
Among the wastage recorded was RM14 million in driving licences ordered by the road transport department (JPJ) that were not used.
Auditor-General Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid said irregular payments amounted to RM26 million, of which RM17.7 million involved payments made by the police which did not comply with contracts.
The irregular payments were in relation to a company appointed to carry out the printing and mailing of police summons notices.
The company is said to have appointed a subcontractor to carry out work, without approval from the police.
“To safeguard the interests of the government, the police must ensure that payments are made in accordance with the agreement,” he said at a press conference after the release of the Auditor-General’s Report 2021 Series 2.
Meanwhile, the report also highlighted that RM72 million in duties related to residency and vehicle ownership was not collected by the customs department due to inaccurate calculations.
Nik Azman said it was necessary to revise the terms for the purchase of vehicles from duty-free islands.
“Heads of departments must also ensure that officers carry out their duties in compliance with the regulations,” he said.
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